186 THE MILK SITUATION IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 



The number would depend largely upon local conditions. Wheeling, with 

 its milk supply very close to the city, should specify a much lower number 

 than New York or Washington. (Health officer Wheeling, W. Va.) 



We believe, however, it should be the aim of every municipality to so safe- 

 guard its milk supply as to reach the standard of 100,000 bacteria to the 

 cubic centimeter. (Dr. Samuel McC. Hamill, Philadelphia, Pa.) 



I think a community should set this figure for itself by determining the 

 average count under ordinary conditions. This average count should be set 

 as a standard, with the idea of reducing it later as conditions can be gradually 

 improved. (Health officer Scran ton, Pa.) 



QUESTION 5. Is it possible for the producer or dealer to verify or disprove the 

 bacterial count reported? 



ANSWERS. 



If the producer or dealer is given a duplicate sample of the milk and has it 

 examined by a competent bacteriologist by a standard method, this would be 

 a check on the bacterial count officially reported. (Chief Bureau of Animal 

 Industry.) 



Not usually. (Surgeon General U. S. Army.) 



Not absolutely. (Surgeon General U. S. Navy.) 



The producer or dealer can take samples at the same time that the authori- 

 ties do, and in this way the latter's results can be checked. Unless this is 

 done, the bacterial count can not be verified, as the examination must be made 

 under like conditions, and requires at least 48 hours for a count to be known. 

 (Surgeon General Public Health and Marine-Hospital Service.) 



Only by taking duplicate samples and making tests. (Dr. William H. Park, 

 New York, N. Y.) 



Not if an officer of a medical milk commission collects the milk from a 

 delivery wagon and the count is made by a good observer under its direction. 

 (Dr. Henry L. Coit, Newark, N. J.) 



Yes. (Dr. R. G. Freeman, New York, N. Y.) 



Yes; approximately, but not practical. (Dr. M. P. Raveuel, Madison, Wis.) 



Not unless the same sample were examined. (Dr. C. E. A. Winslow, New 

 York, N. Y.) 



Yes; i. e., two samples taken at same time. But not after report is made. 

 (Health officer Ann Arbor, Mich.) 



With ordinary cleanliness and prompt cooling the bacterial count may be 

 ignored. (Health officer Atlanta, Ga.) 



No. (Health officer Baltimore, Md.) 



It would be necessary for him to have a laboratory properly equipped and 

 a bacteriologist employed to make the necessary tests. This would be neces- 

 sary and feasible in the case of a large dealer. (Health officer Birmingham, 

 Ala.) 



No. (Health officer Bismarck, N. Dak.) 



Responsibility for high bacterial content can not always be placed. Municipal- 

 ity can not show per cent of increase between wholesaler and retailer and be- 

 tween taking sample and time of examination. (Health officer Burlington, Vt.) 



Not unless he takes a sample at the same time and uses the same methods 

 in arriving at results. (Health officer Cleveland, Ohio.) 



Yes. (Health officer Columbus, Ohio.) 



Doubtful. (Health officer Detroit, Mich.) 



Only by bacterial methods; that is, by the service of a trained bacteriologist. 

 By resorting to these means he can. (State board of health, Florida,) 



Can be verified, but not disproved. (Health officer, Jacksonville, Fla.) 



Yes; owing to a tendency of certain germs to glutinate. He could verify or 

 disprove count. (Health officer, Kansas City, Mo.) 



He can give sample to another bacteriologist. (Health officer Lynchburg, 

 Va.) 



Only by having duplicate samples plated by his own bacteriologist. (Health 

 officer, Montclair, N. J.) 



Yes. (Health officer, Portland, Oreg.) 



Yes ; as he has the original package and results need not vary greatly if milk 

 kept cool, as should be if delivery is proper. (Health officer, Providence, R. I.) 



Only by having duplicate samples (made by dividing a single sample after 



